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Get updates on how your baby develops, your body changes, and what you can expect during each week of your pregnancy by signing up to the Mumsnet Pregnancy Newsletters.

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Get updates on how your baby develops, your body changes, and what you can expect during each week of your pregnancy by signing up to the Mumsnet Pregnancy Newsletters.

Pregnancy

Calling all pregnant teachers

29 replies

mummylittle · 28/08/2007 10:11

Hi all, I need some advice, ive just finished my NQT year very successfully! I am about to start a new job at a school alot closer to home. However during the hols ive found out im 17 weeks pregnant (not planned) but DH and i are very pleased. However I have this huge cloud hanging over my head about this new job - as I hate to let people down. Would you tell the head on your first day back or wait a little so they can see im good at my job!!
Im a secondary PE teacher - so they are going to have to work around me quite a lot.

Any reasurance would be very grateful

Thanks xx

OP posts:

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cornsilk · 28/08/2007 10:13

I would tell the head but ask him to be discreet - tell him what you've put on here. You'll need time off for your checks anyway.

cazzybabs · 28/08/2007 10:16

I started my NQT 1st job being newly pregnant. TBH there is not a lot they can do. I would tell them asap - it just polite. I had to tell them last term - I was pregant for the 3rd time - he he he! My boss was very suprised! The head was more professional!

mummylittle · 28/08/2007 10:18

I know there is not a lot they can do, but do u think they will be funny with me? Does this sort of thing happen all the time!!?

OP posts:

cazzybabs · 28/08/2007 10:21

There is a very similar post to yours on the TES primary website. What can they do? I guess the only thing is does it affect your maternity pay? I have to do a certain amount of weeks before week somwething to get the max maternity pay.

I can't see why they would get funny with you. You could get sick and go off for months. At least a maternity is planned.

DumbledoresGirl · 28/08/2007 10:23

It is a long time since I was a pregnant teacher (nearly 12 years!) but IIRC you have to tell your head by a certain date in order to qualify for maternity benefits (but I might be wrong about this). I got pregnant after being newly promoted so I can relate to how you feel about being slightly embarrassed by the timing. I think I told my head when I was about 14 weeks, and I know I did not tell him until I really had to but I can't remember more than that. So what I am trying to say is, I think you may well have to mention it on the first day back.

DumbledoresGirl · 28/08/2007 10:25

Try not to worry too much about the head being funny with you. Hopefully they will be pleased for you, but if they are the sort that expects 110% commitment (as my head was), well, they are just going to be disappointed aren't they! At least when you are pregnant you are protected by law and you will receive the benefits and have your job held open for you etc, whether they like it or not.

cornsilk · 28/08/2007 10:26

Try not to worry - most people will be very supportive and if anyone isn't it's their problem. You're entitled to have a baby whenever you like!

Minicooper · 28/08/2007 10:30

I would tell the head straight away - teaching PE they'll have to do a risk assessement for you and could affect some of the things you can/ can't do. Agree its hard to feel you're letting them down, but this has to come first. Good luck!!!

piggyp · 28/08/2007 10:39

Good luck! I've got to tell my head too, think i might wait a bit - but I am only 13 weeks, and he is a scary man! Have you got a contract yet - it might say in there when you have to tell them.

mummylittle · 28/08/2007 10:59

My contract says I have to tell them 15 weeks before my due date, which isnt until the middle of oct! However I want to make it easier for the school - as they'll have to advertise for maternity cover - yet im gonna be so nervous on my first day anyway, having to tell them this just seems too much. Do u think I should wait a couple of days, settle in a bit first? Or will he then be thinking why on earth didnt she tell me sooner. I dont know him at all so dont know what the hell to expect!!!
Im so stressed out about this its ruining my pregnancy!!

OP posts:

mummylittle · 28/08/2007 11:00

Thanks for all the advice so far everyone xx

OP posts:

piggyp · 28/08/2007 11:06

You are going to have to tell them at some point - at least once you've done it you won't need to worry about telling them and will just be able to get on with your job. I'd try to be very honest, tell them you don't want to let them down etc. Don't forget about all they the discrimination laws - they won't, so I should imagine they'll be professional.

cornsilk · 28/08/2007 11:12

Have you got the head's phone number? It might be easier to tell him over the phone before school starts and get it over with. I know I hate hanging around outside the head's office trying to grab him so I can talk to him about something. Good luck - I'm sure it'll be fine.

twinkle5 · 29/08/2007 12:37

congratulations first of all! I know how you feel, i started a new job on sept 1st, at the start of oct found out i was pg! I had to tell the headteacher 3 weeks later as I was so sick I couldn't work. I felt guilty- in my first term at a new job I was hardly there! The 2nd term was better, and in the 3rd term i went on maternity leave! The bottom line is they can't say/do anything negative, so enjoy your pregnancy!

RibenaBerry · 29/08/2007 13:12

A bit of tactical advice - I would be inclined to tell him that the whole thing was unplanned and rather a surprise.

As others have said, you are entitled to have a baby whenever you want, but employers can sometimes feel a bit frustrated that the wonderful new person that they have just recruited is going to be off for up to a year. After all, they obviously have a vacancy and they thought you were marvellous, so you can't blame them for being a bit disappointed that you won't be around for a bit.

Most people recognise that there is nothing they can do on timing and are genuinely happy for you. However, explaining that it was a surprise can help them to get over that initial disappointment quicker. It makes them realise that you weren't sitting in the interview thinking "well, this place will do until I can get pregnant and go off" and were truly excited to join them.

cazzybabs · 29/08/2007 16:02

I wouldn't tell them it was a suprise. I would just them the facts and leave it like that. It realy is non of their business. They have insurence to cover the costs anyway.

hotchoc · 30/08/2007 18:22

i think you should tell your head of dept first, then the head. best to be honest really. the first time i told my old maid head i was more nervous than when i was telling my family! she ended up being really lovely, don't think they had had a pregnant member of staff for years.

good luck with whatever you decide.

hotchoc

mummylittle · 30/08/2007 19:06

thank you everyone I really appreciate the advice - ive decided to tell them on my first day - going to tell head of department first then the head. Im going to be honest with them and hopefully they'll be professional and supportive. I just need to get it out of the way as its ruining my pregnancy and im worrying all the time!! Thanks again xxxx

OP posts:

WestDerby · 30/08/2007 20:19

I arrived at a new school pregnant, too - congratulations. Now, this is over five years ago, but I didn't qualify for SMP, but did get Maternity Allowance. The school were wonderful; I went on leave at Easter and had DS1 mid-May but they agreed (actually, they have no choice but they were very accommodating) to me going back in for the last two days of the summer term so I got paid over the summer hols.

Good luck with telling them - don't lose sight that most people are genuinely delighted for you, even as they are mentally juggling the implications for cover and leave.

cece · 30/08/2007 20:33

Happened to me too - I told my new Head at the end of the first week as I needed some time off for my first scan. TBH I was very embarassed but he was OK about it - not thrilled but philosphical I would say.

cece · 30/08/2007 20:33

Oh and I ofund crying while I told him helped!

piggyp · 31/08/2007 08:30

How's it going mummylittle? I've decided to tell my head today - hope he's in! I just want to get it over and done with. I need time off for appointments and I'm going on an adventure week with yr7 in a fortnight so i need an excuse for not doing abseiling! I'll let you know how it went - i'm really nervous because he is a bit of a bully boy!

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piggyp · 31/08/2007 14:36

Wretched man wasn't in! Watching the cricket apparently! I've made an appointment to see him on tuesday instead.

leo1978 · 31/08/2007 20:37

Oh don't worry about it Mummylittle - teaching is the kind of job that makes so many emotional demands from (and on) you that you end up feeling guilty for being off work ill, having a day moving an/or being pregnant! I know the feeling well.

You need to be straight up with them - tell them, they'll be professional and congraulate you and advertise for your maternity cover. Don;t even engage with any of the emotional/guilt stuff.

Good Luck!

charliemama · 31/08/2007 20:46

Good luck. I started as a NQT in my current school and am on my 3rd maternity leave. I was worried about telling the head with the second two because mine are quite close together. However, having said that I would recommend getting it over and done with and then you can get on with enjoyong your new job and your pregnancy.

Flip

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